Ben Stivers Organ Quartet
The Django2 6th Avenue, New York 10013
Ben Stivers brings his Organ Quartet to The Django for a late-night set built around familiar songs recast through a funky organ-trio approach. The billing names a quartet, while the venue describes Stivers’s group as an organ trio; either way, the focus is on his keyboard-led arrangements and the pleasure of hearing recognizable material turned in unexpected directions.
Stivers is a keyboardist whose credits include work with the Bee Gees, Lyle Lovett, Rosanne Cash, Greg Allman and Sting. Those collaborations place him alongside artists from pop, country, rock and singer-songwriter worlds, and this Django date draws on that breadth through a songbook meant to trigger recognition without simply reproducing the originals. The venue’s promise is succinct: songs listeners may remember, “just not the way you remember them.”
The Django offers a subterranean jazz experience inspired by Parisian boîtes, with vaulted ceilings and exposed brick walls that frame a stage equipped with a state-of-the-art Meyer Sound system. The venue combines two cocktail bars and an open dining area where you can enjoy an elevated menu alongside live performances every night. The evening unfolds with a focus on attentive listening, enhanced by award-winning cocktails crafted by Natasha David and a selection of small plates and dinner options. Shows require a cover charge and reservations are recommended to secure your spot. The setting invites you to settle in for a night of rich jazz sounds, fine food, and carefully mixed drinks, all within the cellar level of the Roxy Hotel, creating a distinct mood that feels both exclusive and welcoming.